Members of the Mexican Mafia and drug cartels have issued death threats against Pinal County (Ariz.) Sheriff Paul Babeu that have been found to be credible, FOX News reports.
Babeu has been outspoken about the need to secure his state's border with Mexico, and has called for federal troops in southern Arizona because his department is "outgunned" in a war against drug and human smugglers.
In April, a Pinal deputy was shot by drug smugglers. Fourteen of the 17 detainees in that shooting were illegal immigrants.
In late June, cartel death threats were issued against Nogales (Ariz.) PD officers who had busted two narcotics deals while off duty.